By Bature Muhammad
Securing lives and livelihoods remains the highest priority of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
This was stated by the chairman of the Senate Committee of the North West Development commission, Senator Babangida Hussain noting that it requires collaborative, community-driven strategies are essential in defeating insecurity in the region
He stated this at the North West Zonal Security Summit held in Kaduna, stressing that securing lives and livelihoods remains the highest priority of the Federal Government.
He said the gathering reflects a renewed national resolve to confront banditry, kidnapping and violent extremism, highlighting that the summit provides a strategic platform for experts, security agencies, traditional rulers and community representatives to offer practical solutions to the realities of the North West.
In his remarks the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar reaffirmed the Federal Government’s readiness to intensify military operations and provide advanced equipment to forces combating insecurity, adding that the ongoing reforms in the defence architecture are aimed at improving operational efficiency, intelligence fusion and rapid response capabilities across the North West.
The Governor of Kaduna state, Senator Uba Sani, expressed his administration’s commitment to deepining collaboration with federal institutions, traditional authorities and community leaders to secure lives and properties of citizens.
The Governor highlighted the states investments in technology driven surveillance, security partnerships and grassroots conflict prevention efforts as part of a sustained strategy to safeguard residents.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar 111, who was represented by the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali emphasized the indispensable role of traditional institutions in intelligence sharing, community mobilisation and peace building.
The Sultan said the traditional authorities will continue working closely with government and security agencies to promote unity, mediation and early detection of threats.
The chairman of the Senate committee on communication, Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis commended the initiative, describing it as a critical intervention at a time communication infrastructure must support early warning systems and Frontline operations. He emphasized that strengthening telecommunications in rural and vulnerable communities will enhance security coordination and community reporting.
